Criteria for Adjudication 

Higher order concerns

• The paper’s central thesis, focus, hypothesis, or observation is perceptive, incisive, and richly developed.
• Research is employed in developing the key argument and is compared and contrasted (as appropriate).
• A deep, nuanced understanding of the subject matter is evident throughout the paper.
• The writing style engages the reader.
• The paper reflects the principles of inclusive and antiracist writing.
• For papers that are written by or about Indigenous Peoples, or about Indigenous topics, the writing reflects the principles outlined in Dr. Gregory Younging's book Elements of Indigenous Style.
• The paper is well organized.

Lower order concerns

• Skillful transitions between paragraphs and arguments
• Vocabulary is well-chosen and there is variety in sentence structures.
• Few, if any, errors in citation.
• Papers show evidence of thoughtful revision/editing.
• Judges must give equitable consideration to all writers. The contest welcomes papers written "with an accent" and papers that challenge the traditional hegemonic norms of academic writing. 
• With this criteria, the SLC reaffirms the CCCC's statement on Students' Right to their own Language. 

The excellence of all papers should be judged consistently, using the criteria above; however, the Writing Contest committee acknowledges that excellence in writing is not culturally or disciplinarily neutral. Everyone involved with the writing contest will work toward greater awareness of our unconscious biases about what makes for “good” writing as we engage with student submissions. 

Judging Panels 2023

First Year Category Judges 

Dr. Jennesia Pedri (School of Communication)

Dr. Susan Barber (Faculty of Education)  

Janis McKenzie (User Experience Librarian)  

Middle Years Category Judges 

Rosemary-Claire Collard (Department of Geography)

Dr. Heather Bliss (Department of Linguistics)  

Dr. Daniel Chang (Faculty of Education)  

Fourth Year+ Category Judges 

Hazel Plante (Liaison Librarian)  

Amanda Pullishy (Associate Director, Leadership and Community Building Programs) 

Dr. Tara Holland (School of Environmental Science and Department of Geography)  

Plurilingual Prize Category Judges 

Dr. Joel Heng Hartse  (Faculty of Education)

Dr. Sepideh Fotovatian (Economics)  

Dr. Suzanne Hilgendorf (Department of Linguistics)